Shosho
Well-known member
- Joined
- 10 Dec 2017
- Messages
- 2,717
Interesting point re: the defence being a strong unit but also conceding.
However long we have made the decision to play Brannagan as the #6 over Gorrin (obviously a few matches were enforced) but as far as we know, he is now fit. Whilst Brannagan does his bit defensively, he isn't on the level of Gorrin in plugging the gaps. This has clearly been a conscious decision having a ball player in that role.
Part of this is the failing of the squad to progress the ball via anything other than Atkinson or Barker (and earlier in the season, McGuane). In previous seasons with Browne, Baptiste, Holland, Fosu etc we had players that can carry us 50/60 yards...add in Dickie's ability to play from the back into midfield and we had a clear way of progressing. Personally, I prefer Brannagan as an #8, however the change in his role has now allowed us some creativity from deeper positions whilst seemingly getting the best out of Sykes.
The frustration this season is that it wouldn't have needed too much improvement in our recruitment through the summer to find ourselves competing higher. Hull and Peterborough are obviously decent but a slightly different summer and I think we would have been much closer.
That said, the summer should be a big one. There was some exciting names mentioned through January which we are hopefully working on for this summer. Theres certainly an opportunity in the market to exploit expiring contacts (probably the same as most clubs!) and U23s now looking for men's football....players such as Holland, Bowler, Adeniran
However long we have made the decision to play Brannagan as the #6 over Gorrin (obviously a few matches were enforced) but as far as we know, he is now fit. Whilst Brannagan does his bit defensively, he isn't on the level of Gorrin in plugging the gaps. This has clearly been a conscious decision having a ball player in that role.
Part of this is the failing of the squad to progress the ball via anything other than Atkinson or Barker (and earlier in the season, McGuane). In previous seasons with Browne, Baptiste, Holland, Fosu etc we had players that can carry us 50/60 yards...add in Dickie's ability to play from the back into midfield and we had a clear way of progressing. Personally, I prefer Brannagan as an #8, however the change in his role has now allowed us some creativity from deeper positions whilst seemingly getting the best out of Sykes.
The frustration this season is that it wouldn't have needed too much improvement in our recruitment through the summer to find ourselves competing higher. Hull and Peterborough are obviously decent but a slightly different summer and I think we would have been much closer.
That said, the summer should be a big one. There was some exciting names mentioned through January which we are hopefully working on for this summer. Theres certainly an opportunity in the market to exploit expiring contacts (probably the same as most clubs!) and U23s now looking for men's football....players such as Holland, Bowler, Adeniran